Proposed Law Transforms Domestic Violence Issue Into Gun Control Circus

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

Bad public policy is no remedy for social ills – that's the point ISRA members are driving home to legislators this week as the Illinois General Assembly ponders a very controversial gun control bill. If signed into law, HB3160 would arbitrarily redefine "domestic violence," ridiculously broaden the definition of "domestic partner," and reclassify many thousands of law-abiding Illinois citizens as being ineligible to own firearms. Disguised as relief for victims of domestic violence, HB3160 is nothing more than an aggressive attempt by gun control extremists to disarm a wider swath of Illinois hunters and sportsmen.

"I know every legislator on the HB3160 sponsor list very well," commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "I can tell you this, each and every one of them harbors a deeper hatred for gun owners than they do sympathy for victims of domestic violence. It's abundantly evident that the gun controllers in the General Assembly have jumped on the backs of domestic violence victims in hopes of reversing their decades-old losing streak in the Illinois legislature."

"HB3160 is just bad public policy, plain and simple," continued Pearson. "The bill would turn every jilted lover, every bitter housewife, every angry son or daughter, and every meddlesome in-law into a potential judge, jury and executioner over the 2nd Amendment. Try to sneak a kiss after a date – lose your guns. Tell an off-color joke – lose your guns. Lock up the kids' Xbox – lose your guns. Tell your wife to do some sit-ups – lose your guns. Sound ridiculous? Well, that's exactly how HB3160 would re-write gun laws in Illinois."

"Let me make it very clear," said Pearson. "The officers, directors, and members of the ISRA are unified in our distaste for those who commit acts of domestic violence. Standing in opposition to HB3160 does not equate with a trivialization of this important issue. Rather, HB3160 is just another in a long line of cynical attempts by gun contollers to weaponize important social issues to the detriment of lawful hunters and sportsmen. The ISRA will continue to fight such examples of poor public policy and fight the legislators who support these politically driven proposals."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of millions of lawful firearm owners.